Our Approach to Environmental Management

Managing impacts associated with aircraft operations

The Airports Act 1996 and the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 require operators of leased airports to prepare an Airport Environment Strategy that identifies sources of environmental impact associated with airport operations and outlines the environmental management strategies and actions that will be implemented at the Airport.

We have identified business operations, our own and our tenants, new developments and aircraft operations as key sources of environmental impact at Bankstown Airport.

The Act and the Regulations also require operators of leased airports to address how they will manage issues such as air, water and soil quality, noise, heritage matters, use of natural resources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Managing impacts associated with our business operations

We have developed an Environment Management System to manage the environmental risks associated with our own business operations. The key risks associated with all of our business operations have been identified in and procedures have been developed to manage those risks in consultation with our staff.

To ensure that our procedures are effective in controlling the risks associated with our business operations we undertake an environmental audit of our facilities and operations each year

Managing impacts associated with our tenant’s business operations

We categorise our tenants into three tiers on the basis of potential environmental risk which is assessed on the nature of their operations as well as their past performance.

Tier 1 tenant operations have the potential for significant environmental risk, Tier 2 tenant operations the potential for moderate environmental risk and Tier 3 tenant operations the potential for minimal environmental risk. Tier 1 & 2 tenants conduct annual environmental audits. These audits may be conducted by a staff member however every 2 years, in the case of Tier 1 tenants and every 3 years in the case of Tier 2 tenants, these audits must be conducted by an independent environmental auditor.

Tier 3 tenants are subject to environmental inspections at least every 3 years

Why we audit and the things that we look for in our that are assessed during an environmental audits is are outlined in our Environment Information Sheet on Environmental Audits and our Environment Audit Guide in the Tenant Resources.

To help operators develop their Environment Management Plan we’ve prepared guidance material on what they need to consider in their plans.

Managing impacts associated with developments on Airport

All new developments on airport are subject to a Airport Lessee Company (ALC) Consent and Building Approval process. ALC is undertaken by us, the airport operator, while Building Approval is undertaken by the Department-appointed Airport Building Controller.

We have a comprehensive ALC Consent process to ensure that proposed developments are in keeping with our Master Plan and the objectives of our Airport Environment Strategy and that they are of the highest standard building and environmental standards.

All new developments are required to complete an assessment of environmental effects that helps us to identify the environmental issues associated with the proposed development. We use this to determine whether further environment investigation is warranted and to identify the environmental controls we may need to place on the proposed development.

OurUrban Design Guidelines identify the type of development permissible within defined areas on the airport and provide guidance on such things as built form, landscaping, water management, waste management, noise / acoustics, heritage and energy efficiency.

Developments that are approved require a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP). This document identifies the environmental risks associated with construction of the proposed development and the management strategies that will be put in place to manage those risks. During construction we monitor activity on the building site to ensure that the environmental risks associated with the works are being managed appropriately.

Under the Airports Act 1996, certain types of development, referred to as “major airport developments” require the preparation and approval of a Major Development Plan (MDP). The Airports Act 1996 defines what constitutes a major airport development. Such developments are subject to environmental assessment including public consultation and may not proceed until approved by the Minister.

Managing impacts associated with aircraft operations

Noise associated with aircraft operations extends well beyond the boundary of the airport and thus our sphere of control. Nevertheless, we have some influence on aircraft noise and we will continue to work with governments, local communities, aircraft operators, regulators and air navigation service providers to help develop practical solutions to minimise noise impacts off airport.

For information on our aircraft noise management initiatives see the section on Noise